Hiking Arthur’s Seat

The largest of three parts which make up this ancient volcano, Arthur’s Seat’s volcanic system dates all the way back to the Carboniferous age, around 341 to 335 million years ago, when the area was last active.

The hill has attracted people for centuries, serving as a point of interest for locals since the city’s inception. Its name has sparked rumours about Edinburgh’s connection to the mythical King Arthur, some even say that Arthur’s Seat could have been the location of the legendary Camelot. While it has no official Scottish Gaelic name, a few theories have been put forward as to a possible etymology: the first, proposed by John Milne would have Àrd-thir Suidhe meaning "place on high ground" be he name, and then slowly turn into “Arthur’s Seat”, while the other was put forward by Willian Maitland in which the name would be Àrd-na-Said, implying the "Height of Arrows" before being derived to “Arthur’s Seat” over time.

An ancient site, Arthur’s Seat has been at the heart of a fair share of myths and legends over the years. One of which tells the story of King David I having his life inexplicably spared after encountering a stag at the foot of the hill. He then founded Holyrood Abbey on that very spot. It’s only logical that Arthur’s Seat would have made its way into Scottish popular culture, appearing in many novels, films and poems.

Arthur’s Seat, as one can imagine, makes for the ultimate Edinburgh walk, although it’s much more of a hike, and a rather tough one at that if we’re being honest. The ascent is particularly rocky and steep, and while it is well worth it, make sure you wear appropriate attire when attempting it. The grassy peak covers the remains of an extinct volcano and is situated in Holyrood Park, at the end of the Royal Mile.

Walking the Salisbury Crags is the most obvious and well-rounded route, the views you will get to see on this trail will leave you breathless. Alternatively, there’s an easier path from Queen’s Drive to Dunsapie Loch and then straight ahead from there which will also guarantee a fun walking experience. Find out more about hiking Arthur’s Seat here. Climbing to the top and back typically takes an average walker around two hours to complete.

Please make sure to check the weather forecast before heading on your hike up Arthur’s Seat. Some days the weather is so bad that hiking is not safe. Please make sure you exercise safe hiking practices throughout your time outdoors. Please bare in mind that Arthur’s Seat can get rather busy during the peak season, so if you’re visiting in the Summer, you may want to go early in the morning.